Ex-Arkansas judge indicted on federal fraud, bribery charges

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A former Arkansas judge accused of
giving lighter sentences to defendants in exchange for nude
photos and sexual acts has been indicted on federal fraud and
bribery charges, according to a federal indictment unsealed
Monday.

Former Cross County District Court Judge Joseph Boeckmann
resigned in May after an investigation into allegations of
inappropriate sexual relationships with men accused of crimes
dating back decades, to his time as a prosecutor. Boeckmann
allegedly had more than 4,600 photos of nude or semi-nude men.

A grand jury accused Boeckmann of corruptly using his official
position as an Arkansas district judge "to obtain personal
services, sexual contact, and the opportunity to view and to
photograph in compromising positions persons who appeared before
him in traffic and misdemeanor criminal cases in exchange for
dismissing the cases." The indictment is dated Oct. 5.

Boeckmann had previously denied the allegations through his
attorney.

Boeckmann was indicted on eight counts of wire fraud, two counts
of witness tampering, one count of federal program bribery and 10
counts of violating the federal Travel Act.

Dozens of men have accused Boeckmann of sexual abuse and
misconduct, saying the small-town judge paid them to allow him to
spank them with a paddle and to take photos of the red skin.
Others said they posed nude in exchange for money to pay off
court fines.

Others, some of whom were underage, said Boeckmann would offer
them community service in lieu of court fines and fees. The
assignments often involved going to his house or another
location, taking off their shirts, bending over and pretending to
pick the cans up while, they allege, Boeckmann took photos.

The head of the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability
Commission, which conducted the initial investigation, has called
the allegations "if not the worst, among the worst cases of
judicial misconduct" in state history.

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Ex-Arkansas judge indicted on federal fraud, bribery charges

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A former Arkansas judge accused of giving lighter sentences to defendants in exchange for nude photos and sexual acts has been indicted on federal fraud and bribery charges, according to a federal indictment unsealed Monday.